Solanum elaeagnifolium (silverleaf nightshade)

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Solanum elaeagnifolium

silverleaf nightshade

Solanaceae Southwestern North America

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterVery Low · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 6–10

Overview

Solanum elaeagnifolium is a deep-rooted, drought-tolerant perennial in the nightshade family, growing 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall with a silvery cast over the whole plant. Stems and the narrow, wavy-edged lance-shaped leaves, 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long, are coated in dense star-shaped hairs that give a gray-silver sheen, and the stems often carry slender prickles. Star-shaped flowers about 1 inch (2.5 cm) across open through summer, violet-blue to purple, occasionally white, with a cone of bright yellow anthers at the center. These are followed by smooth, spherical berries 0.4-0.6 inch (1-1.5 cm) wide that ripen from mottled green to yellow or orange and persist into winter. The plant regrows from deep, brittle roots and rhizomes as well as seed, forming colonies that are difficult to remove once established. Native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, it has spread as a serious agricultural weed across Australia, the Mediterranean, South Africa, and beyond. All parts, especially the berries, contain solanine and related glycoalkaloids that are poisonous to people and livestock.

Native Range

Native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, in grasslands, plains, roadsides, and disturbed dry ground. It has spread as an invasive weed to Australia, southern Europe, North Africa, South Africa, and parts of Asia and South America.

Suggested Uses

Not grown in cultivation; it is managed as a noxious weed across its introduced range. In its native deserts and plains it has limited value to wildlife and was used medicinally by Indigenous peoples, who also used the berries to curdle milk for cheese-making.

How to Identify

Recognized by its silvery, star-haired stems and narrow, wavy-margined leaves, often with small prickles on the stems and midribs. The star-shaped violet-blue flowers have a prominent cone of yellow anthers. Round berries ripen from green to yellow-orange and remain on dry stems into winter.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 3'

Width/Spread1' - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~16 weeks

Spring Summer Fall

Blooms through the warm season, generally May to September, with violet-blue star-shaped flowers opening in loose clusters. The flowers are buzz-pollinated by bees that vibrate the anthers to release pollen. Berries develop afterward and persist on the dead stems through winter.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Violet-blue to purple, occasionally white, with yellow anthers

Foliage Description

Silvery gray-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.5(Alkaline)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Very Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

Flowers in the first season from established roots

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun on dry, well-drained soils, including sand, clay, and rocky ground, across a wide pH range of about 6.0 to 8.5. Extremely drought tolerant through deep roots, it needs no supplemental water once established. It spreads from root fragments and seed, so cultivation and cutting often increase rather than reduce it. The top growth dies back in winter and regrows from the roots in spring. All parts are poisonous, and the spiny stems can injure grazing animals and handlers.

Pruning

Cutting or mowing top growth does not kill the plant, which resprouts from deep roots, though repeated removal over years can weaken stands. No ornamental pruning applies. Taking out plants before the berries set reduces seed spread.